Preparing material for packaging



March 23, 1937.

o. T. THOMPSON PREPARING MATERIAL FOR PACKAGING Filed April 19, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l 77250 7' OSCd/ZTMWSOE W W V fwd 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 O. T. THOMPSON PREPARING MATERIAL FOR PACKAGING Flled Aprll 19, 1935 March 23, 1937.

Mafch 23, 1937. o. T. THOMPSON 2,074,571 PREPARING MA'I ERIAL FOR PACKAGING Filed April 19, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MW Mw M Patented Mar. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PREPARING MATERIAL FOR PACKAGING Application April 19, 1935, Serial No. 17,214

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in preparing material for packaging and although not restricted thereto, has particular reference to means used in preparing paper articles, such as cleansing tissues, for packaging in boxes or the like, of any predetermined number of sheets.

In the production of packages of cleansing tissue consisting of say 100 sheets in a box from which the sheets are adapted to be withdrawn one by one, one more or less conventional method of production consists in fitting a web of tissues to a rotary winding device and winding the web to form a roll embodying multiples of 100 plies, for example 600 plies, after which the roll is severed transversely and removed from the winding mechanism in the form of an elongated article embodying long strips or plies of the material forming the cleansing tissues. Such long strips are then severed transversely into sections, each section then embodying sheets of the correct length and width for boxing. However, each section embodies multiples of the correct number, so that each section must be separated into sets or groups embodying the .correct number of sheets.

The cutting of the elongated strips removed from the winding mechanism is accomplished in an appropriate mechanism, and as a practical matter, it is advantageous to effect separation of the sections into the required sets or groups of sheets .on a separate work table.

The present invention has for its main object the provision of means for facilitating the transfer of the severed sections of material from the cutting mechanism to the work table.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an arrangement for the purpose indicated which of itself will be of simple yet durable character and of light weight ,so as to facilitate handling; to provide an arrangement which will not require the presence of extra .or spare parts, thereby avoiding the necessity of handling such extra or spare parts; and in general, it is the object of the invention to provide a simple but effective means for the purpose indicated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings (four sheets) wherein there is illustrated mechanism for cutting elongated articles into sections and for transferring such sections from the cutting mechanism to the work table.

In the drawings.-

Fig. 1 is a plan of the article cutting machine;

.F .2 is a sid elevation of the cu tin machine;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are plan, side and end views respectively of a work table embodying the in- Vention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of a carrying device used in conjunction with both the cutting mechanism and the work table;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale and corresponding to certain portions shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the cutting mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 9 embodies suitable framework designated lfl in its entirety. A shaft H is suitably journaled adjacent its ends and if desired, near its middle, in bearings carried by the framework It] and said shaft is adapted to be rotated by suitable means, for example, an electric motor l2, which may be coupled to the shaft II by a suitable connection indicated at l3. The shaft II is provided with a series of circular saws or cutters l4 arranged in predetermined spaced relation which corresponds to the length, or some other dimension, of the articles which are to be packaged. Suitable guards such as indicated at l may be provided for the saws, to protect the operator of the machine.

For holding the work or articles to be cut by the saws Hi, there is provided one or more receptacles,in this instance, four receptacles or workholders-designated [6, which are movable transversely of the saws M. The receptacles IS in this instance are mounted on angle iron or other suitable supporting members I! and the receptacles are movably supported by means of tracks such as indicated at l8 which extend transversely of the mechanism and are supported by appropriate frame portions. Guide wheels 19 which roll on the tracks l8 are carried by a shaft 20 which is secured at its ends to the depending flanges of the angle iron members H. The guide wheels I9 may be journaled on the shafts 20 or if desired, the wheels may be secured to the shafts and the shafts journaled in the members I! or other suitable brackets. It will be seen that the receptacle unit embodying the four receptacles [6 may be moved as a unit transversely of the saws 14, which are held in fixed position.

Each of the receptacles I6 consists in this in- I stance of a wood bottom member 2| and metallic side members 22, the latter being provided with vertically disposed grooves or slots 23 which permit the passage therethrough of the saws l4,

The bottom member 2| is also grooved transversely as indicated at 24 to permit the cutting edges of the rotary saws I 4 to pass beyond the top surface of the bottom member, thereby to insure complete cutting through the article or stack of sheets positioned in the receptacle.

The bottom members 2! of the receptacles are also provided with a pair of longitudinally extending grooves 25 which are in spaced relation to each other but spaced less than the width of the receptacle. The grooves 25 extend sufficiently below the transverse grooves 24 to permit bars such as indicated at 26, 26 to be positioned in the grooves 25 with their uppermost surfaces disposed below the zone of operation of the cut ters l4, thereby to avoid contact of the cutters with the bars when the receptacles are moved transversely of the cutters. Dulling of the saws is thereby avoided.

The bars 26, 26 are preferably made of metal and constitute the bottom member of a tray member 27. The bars 26, 26 are rigidly connected together by means of cross members 28, 28 extending therebetween and welded or otherwise united at their ends to the bars, and also by means of cross members 29, 29 which extend between upright end portions 30, 36 which are formed integrally with the bars 26, 26. The upright end portions 30 and cross members 29 constitute end walls and also handles for facilitating manipulation of the tray, as will presently appear.

A tray such as 21 is initially positioned in the bottom of each of the receptacles l6, substantially as indicated at 3! in Fig. 3, after which the elongated article to be cut into sections is placed in the receptacle in overlying relation to the bottom of the tray. As indicated, the article to be cut consists, in this instance, of a stack of relatively superposed Webs of sheet material and said webs may be either single-ply or multi-ply and they may be flat or folded, in accordance with the requirements of the particular material to be packaged. To hold the end portions of the article, each tray 27 is provided with clamping devices 32, 32 pivotally mounted on the upright end portions of the trays. In this instance, the clamps 32 are shown as being formed of a length of strap metal bent to approximately U-shape and having the free ends of its respective legs pivoted, as indicated at 33, to the respective upright ends of the tray, preferably near the level of the handle elements 29. Springs such as indicated at 34 stretched between the respective members 32 and downwardly spaced portions of the tray may be provided for yieldingly causing the clamp 32 to swing downwardly so that the cross bar portion 35 thereof is adapted to rest on the top end portions of the articles in the receptacle.

The movable receptacle unit may then be propelled crosswise of the saws I 4 with the result that the articles in the receptacles are severed into a plurality of sections of like or predetermined lengths. As indicated in Fig. 3, the receptacle unit may be moved from one side of the saw to the other in the cutting operation and the severed sections of the article may be removed from the receptacle unit before the latter is returned to its initial position. However, if desired, the receptacle unit may be immediately returned to "its initial position and the sections removed thereafter. It will be apparent that to remove the aligned sections from the receptacles, it is only necessary for attendan s at s sh en be separated into separate sets or groups of the desired number of sheets.

The work table herein disclosed in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 8 includes suitable framework 36 which may be of angle iron, wood or any other desired con-- struction. In this instance, it is indicated as embodying angle iron construction including longitudinally extending top members 3?, 31. The members 31 are suitably rigidly connected at their ends as indicated in Figs. 4 and 6, and suitable framework of any suitable pattern may be provided for maintaining the top members 31, 3'! at the desired elevation from the floor. Such supporting framework is shown in part in Figs. 5 and 6.

Working surface is provided by means of table top members 38, 38 which are respectively secured to the longitudinally extending top members 37, 3? so as to provide a space intermediate adjacent top members 33. It will be understood that in the present disclosure the table structure is provided with two working areas and that the outer top members 38, 3B are supported by the outer angle irons 31 and a pair of oppositely projecting members 38, 38 are supported by the intermediate member 31. The pair of members 33, 38 supported respectively by one of the members 37 and the intermediate member 37, are so spaced that the width of the opening between their inner edges is materially less than the width of the article or sections designated 39 which are carried by the trays 2'! but great enough to permit the latter to pass therethrough. As indicated in Fig. 4, the members 38 are shorter than the trays so that the work-holding devices 32 at the ends of the trays may pass through the table in the spaces between the angle members 31, 37.

It will be observed that when a tray loaded with the sections of material is transferred to the work table, the tray may be directed downwardly through the opening between adjacent table members 38, with the result that the projecting marginal portions of the sections will engage marginal edge portions of the members 38 which are adjacent the opening through which the tray is directed. The work-clamping members 32 are swung upwardly and outwardly to outwardly disposed inoperative position, as most clearly indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, so that they do not interfere with the downward movement of the tray when the sections engage the table surface portions 38, 38. As a matter of fact, the work-clamps 32 are intended to hold in the tray end portions of the articles which are discarded after severance of the article into sections of the desired length. Such end portions result from the production of articles of slightly greater length than the desired multiple of the length of the sections to be cut. Hence the work-clamps 32 do not at any time engage any of the sections which remain in the tray when the material is transferred from the cutting mechanism to the Work table.

The work table may be provided with shelves such as indicated at 40, 46, preferably at the ends of the work table, to support the tray 21 under the table when it has been passed through one of the openings therein. However, if preferred,

the attendants of the mechanism may return the tray to the cutting machine receptacles at once, instead of permitting the tray to rest on such shelves. As a practical matter, it appears more convenient to complete the handling of the trays 21 by returning the trays directly to the cutting machine receptacles as soon as the sections have been deposited on the work table.

The work table is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with means for closing the opening through which the tray is passed as soon as the tray has completed its movement through such opening. In this instance, the closure means includes elongated table members such as indicated at 4|, having a central portion adapted to fit in the opening and having edge portions 42, 42 designed to engage the bottom surface of the members 38 to position the top surface of the members 4| flush with the top surface of the members 38. Ifhe members 41 are mounted for downward swinging movement by means of arms such as indicated at 43, which are pivoted as indicated at 44 to suitable brackets carried by the frame members 31, 31. For yieldingly urging the members 4! into operative position as illustrated springs may be provided, but counterweights such as indicated at 45 appear preferable. The counterweights may be connected to the members 4! through the agency of arms such as indicated at 4B or in any other suitable manner which will cause the closure members 4| to be yieldingly held in their operative position. The members 4| serve as a safeguard to prevent disarrangement of the superposed sheets in each section as an incident to accidental movement of any stack so that its marginal portions do not overlie either of the top members 38 on opposite sides of the opening therebetween.

The described apparatus is obviously of simple but durable construction, inexpensive to produce and convenient to handle. There is nothing complex or difficult about the use of the apparatus, so that unskilled attendants may efficiently operate the apparatus.

Changes in the described structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a receptacle for receiving and holding an article, cutting means adapted to traverse the article in the receptacle to sever the same into shorter sections, a work table for receiving the sections, and means for facilitating the transfer of the sections from said receptacle to said table, said transferring means comprising a tray of less width than the width of the article, said tray being positioned in said receptacle so as to be removable therefrom to remove said sections from the receptacle, said table having an opening therein of sufficient width to permit said tray to pass therethrough, but of less width than the width of said sections so that marginal portions of the sections which project from the tray engage marginal portions of the table adjacent said opening to thereby strip the sections from the tray as an incident to passage of the tray through said opening.

2. In combination, a receptacle for receiving and holding an article, cutting means adapted to traverse an article in the receptacle to sever the same into shorter sections, a work table for receiving the sections, and means for facilitating the transfer of the sections from said receptacle to said table, said transferring means comprising a tray of less width than the width of the article, said tray being positioned in the bottom of said receptacle so as to be removable therefrom to remove said sections from the receptacle, said tray having portions adjacent the zone of operation of said cutter spaced from the latter so as toprevent contacting of the cutter with the tray, said table having an opening therein of sufficient width to permit said tray to pass therethrough, but of less width than the Width of said sections so that marginal portions of the sections which project from the tray engage marginal portions of the table adjacent said opening to thereby strip the sections from the tray as an incident to passage of the tray through said opening.

3. In combination, a receptacle for receiving and holding an article, cutting means adapted to traverse an article in the receptacle to sever the ame into shorter sections, a Work table for receiving the sections, and means for facilitating the transfer of the sections from said receptacle to said table, said transferring means comprising a tray of less width than the width of said receptacle and the article therein, said tray being positioned centrallyv in the bottom of said receptacle so as to be removable therefrom to remove said sections from the receptacle, and being recessed into said receptacle so that the uppermost surface of the tray is spaced from the zone of operation of said cutter so as to prevent contacting of the cutter with the tray, said table having an opening therein of sufiicient width to permit said tray to pass therethrough, but of less width than the width of said sections so that opposite side marginal portions of the sections which project beyond the side edges of the tray engage marginal portions of the table adjacent said opening to thereby strip the sections from the tray as an incident to passage of the tray through said opening.

4. In combination, a receptacle for receiving and holding an article, cutting means adapted to traverse an article in the receptacle to sever the same into shorter sections, a work table for receiving the sections, and means for facilitating the transfer of the sections from said receptacle to said table, said transferring means comprising spaced bars connected together in fixed relation, the spacing of the bars being less than the width of the article, said bars constituting a tray adapted to be positioned in the bottom of said receptacle so as to be removable therefrom to remove said sections from said receptacle, said receptacle having grooves in its bottom for receiving said bars so as to prevent contacting of the cutter with the tray, said table having an opening therein to permit said tray to pass therethrough, but having surface area adapted to engage po-rtions of the sections not covered by said bars to thereby strip the sections from the tray as an incident to passage of the tray through said opening.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means for cutting an elongated article into a plurality of shorter sections comprising a receptacle for receiving and positioning the article and a cutter adapted to traverse the receptacle to sever the article therein, and means article, upright end walls rigid with the ends of said bottom member, and spring-actuated clamps horizontally pivoted on the upper ends of said end Walls and adapted to be swung between an inoperative upright position and an operative position overlying end portions of the material placed in the tray to hold said end portions in fixed positions in the tray.

6. In combination, a tray comprising a bottom of less Width than the Width of the article to be i' carried on the tray so that marginal portions of the article project beyond the sides of the tray, and a work table having an opening therein through which the tray is adapted to be passed but of less width than said article so that marginal portions of the table adjacent said opening engage said projecting marginal portions of the article to strip the latter from the tray as an incident to passage of the tray through said table opening.

7. In combination, means for cutting an elongated article into a plurality of shorter sections comprising a receptacle for receiving and positioning the article and a cutter adapted to traverse the receptacle to sever an article therein into shorter sections, and means for facilitating removal of the sections from said receptacle comprising a tray fitting in said receptacle under an article therein so as to be adapted to simultaneously strip all of the sections from the receptacle as an incident to removal of the tray from the receptacle, said tray being recessed into said receptacle so as to prevent contacting of said cutter with the tray.

8. In combination, a tray comprising a bottom of less width than the width of the article to be carried on the tray so that marginal portions of the article project beyond the sides of the tray, and a work table having an opening therein through which the tray is adapted to be passed but of. less width than said article so that marginal portions of the table adjacent said opening engage said projecting marginal portions of the article to strip the latter from the tray as an incident to passage of the tray through said table opening, and a closure for said opening yieldably maintained in said opening and adapted to be moved therefrom by engagement therewith of said tray as an incident to passage of the latter through said opening.

9. In combination, a receptacle for receiving and holding an article, means for performing an operation on an article in said receptacle, a work table for receiving the article after such operation has been performed, and means for facilitating the transfer of the article from said receptacle to said table, said transferring means comprising a tray of less width than the Width of said article, said tray being positioned in said receptacle so as to be removable therefrom to remove said article from the receptacle, said table having an opening therein of sufi'icient width to permit said tray to pass therethrough, but of less width than the width of said article so that marginal portions of the article which project from the tray engage marginal portions of the table adjacent said opening to thereby strip the article from the tray as an incident to passage of the tray through said opening.

OSCAR T. THQMIPSON. 

